SA-10(2)_alternative-configuration-management-processes

SA-10(2) Alternative Configuration Management Processes

Enhancement of: SA-10

High-Level Description

Family: System and Services Acquisition (SA) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Alternate configuration management processes may be required when organizations use commercial off-the-shelf information technology products. Alternate configuration management processes include organizational personnel who review and approve proposed changes to systems, system components, and system services and conduct security and privacy impact analyses prior to the implementation of changes to systems, components, or services.

What to Check

• Verify SA-10(2) Alternative Configuration Management Processes is documented in SSP
• Confirm control is operating effectively
• Review evidence of continuous monitoring for SA-10(2)
• Verify enhancement builds upon base control SA-10

How to Test

Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for SA-10(2) implementation details. Verify the organization has documented how this control is satisfied.

Step 2: Validate Implementation

# For cloud environments, use cloud-audit-mcp tools
# For on-premises, review system configurations directly

# Example: Check if account management policies exist
grep -r "account.management\|access.control" /etc/security/ 2>/dev/null

Step 3: Test Operating Effectiveness

Verify the control is actively functioning, not just documented. Check logs, configurations, and operational evidence.

Tools

Remediation Guide

Control Statement

Provide an alternate configuration management process using organizational personnel in the absence of a dedicated developer configuration management team.

Implementation Guidance

Alternate configuration management processes may be required when organizations use commercial off-the-shelf information technology products. Alternate configuration management processes include organizational personnel who review and approve proposed changes to systems, system components, and system services and conduct security and privacy impact analyses prior to the implementation of changes to systems, components, or services.

Risk Assessment

CWE Categories

References

• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - SA-10(2)
• NIST SP 800-53A Rev 5 (Assessment Procedures)
• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 Full Catalog

Checklist

• Control documented in SSP
• Implementation evidence collected
• Operating effectiveness validated
• Continuous monitoring in place
• Related controls (none) reviewed